Master Teacher, Preschool

About the Role

The Master Teacher – Preschool manages all programmatic and staffing aspects of an early care and education center, in accordance with the agency's program and people management goals. This position ensures program quality is maintained in a single Catalyst Family Inc. licensed child care center. The Master Teacher provides oversight of the planning, implementation, assessment, reflection, and program requirements for preschool children and may include infant/toddlers and school age, depending on the site. Master Teachers are classroom/program leaders who coach, mentor, and provide ongoing observation and feedback to teaching staff to ensure quality programming. They ensure all children receive quality staff-child interactions and are supervised at all times in a safe and healthy environment. The Master Teacher works collaboratively with the Center Manager/Site Supervisor to support the business of the center including enrollment and attendance, purchasing, and community relationship building. They acknowledge and celebrate diversity among staff, children, and families, creating classroom environments that reflect the backgrounds and experiences of children, families, and staff. Master teachers are in ratio approximately 33% of the time.

Key Responsibilities

• Program Quality: Liaison for communicating Catalyst Family Inc. vision, mission, philosophy, and curriculum approaches to staff, parents, school personnel, the community, and State and local government agencies, as needed. Ensures streamlined processes for documented learning from observations/anecdotes to lesson plans, documentation, all assessments, and internal and external reviews are consistent with Catalyst Family Inc.'s mission, values, philosophy, and position statements. Shares program information and assessment results with the center; supports, mentors, and role models for teachers in the creation, implementation, and evaluation/completion of center action plans through diverse strategies or approaches. Collaborates with center staff to provide enriched, dynamic indoor/outdoor environments that meet the diverse and cultural needs and interests of children, utilizing staff, family, and community expertise. Environments are safe, clean, well maintained, and meet agency and industry standards (ERS). Assesses program quality and curriculum implementation, health/safety and licensing standards; takes steps to continuously improve in alignment with agency quality standards and meet/exceed licensing and other external quality tools. Fully participates and leads QRIS for Infant/Toddler or Preschool programs. Maintains knowledge of Developmentally Appropriate Practices and applicable curriculum influences such as High Scope, Reggio Emilia, California's Learning Framework and Foundations, Search Institute, and Program for Infant/Toddler Caregivers (PITC) as applicable to the age group(s). Using staff observations and program assessment tools, works with staff to develop and implement child growth plans. In partnership with center leadership and all staff, follows Catalyst's Positive Behavior Approach and protocol with family members and provides tools and resources to support implementation of agreed-upon strategies. Scheduled to be in ratio 33% of work week, depending on center needs.
• Managing, Coaching & Supporting Staff: Manages a team of 2-5 staff depending on center size and enrollment. Manages staff performance proactively; coaches, supports, and provides feedback to staff regularly. Conducts Annual Performance reviews on time and provides regular feedback. Facilitates highly effective, participatory team meetings that foster ownership for expected outcomes. Observes staff interactions with children, effectiveness of planned activities, and maintenance and development of the learning environment, giving staff immediate and useful feedback to achieve high program quality. Provides on-site mentoring and modeling in the classroom. Trains and mentors teaching staff as needed, including frequently observing weekly lesson plans to include a range of age-appropriate activities that support social emotional, physical, and cognitive development, observing impact of curriculum implementation, and providing relevant and constructive feedback. Orients and integrates new staff into the team to achieve high staff retention. Sets and communicates clear job expectations. Communicates Mission and philosophy to all staff; ensures behavior and outcomes of center are consistent with agency values. In partnership, develops professional growth plans with staff and provides opportunities for continuous growth and development. Ensures individual and team goals are aligned with agency goals and holds people accountable to high performance expectations. Co-develops and implements immediate corrective action plans as necessary to address underperformance.
• Leadership: Commits to continuous improvement in knowledge of child/youth development, curricular implementation, and program and leadership skills. Attends internal and/or external trainings, professional development or research-based practice exchanges that support the needs of the center and implements these practices in the classrooms as appropriate; teaching back to all stakeholders. Acts as a change agent to advocate, communicate and implement organizational changes in practices, systems, and processes. Nurtures team spirit and maintains high staff morale. Mentors and develops internal candidates for new positions. Encourages all staff to act as recruiters, promotes the employee referral program, and helps recruit new staff through strong relationships with families, schools, and communities.
• Family & Community Partnerships: Provides excellent customer service by establishing and maintaining authentic connections and reciprocal, culturally responsive relationships with children, youth, families, schools, communities, and center/classroom teams. In partnership with CM/SS and other staff, organizes and supports a parent advisory committee where families can give useful feedback and have a voice in center operations and program quality. Makes authentic connections to the local and school communities as a Catalyst representative. Participates in activities at the school (PBIS meetings, IEP meetings, PTO events, etc.) acting as a representative of the agency. Continually assesses community needs, involves the community in planning, and adjusts program and services to meet community needs. Works with families as partners with an open-door policy. Engages in ongoing, two-way interactions with families to discuss daily activities, observations and child progress. Encourages shared decision making, problem solving, and addresses questions and concerns. Provides ongoing information to parents/families including parent education and other requested community resources. Participates in local, regional, and statewide advocacy efforts on behalf of children and families.
• Compliance: Ensures and maintains full compliance with all agency policies/procedures and protects agency assets and resources. Ensures all center operations meet or exceed state licensing regulations, Funding Terms and conditions including Desired Results compliance, health/safety & nutrition requirements, and other Catalyst policies, procedures, and quality tools. Ensures staff schedules meet required adult to child ratios.
• Business Management: Forecasts staffing needs in consideration of business requirements and changing environment. Partners with Recruiting to support interview process and hire best candidates to match the needs of the center. In partnership with the CM/SS, creates and maintains staffing schedules and purchasing for the classrooms and center, as appropriate. Obtains and maintains full enrollment and attendance at the center; earns all ADE, as determined by center leadership team. Identifies ways to improve the performance of the center, takes proactive actions to support center enrollment and marketing, and follows center budget/purchasing guidelines.

Education and Experience

Education: BA/BS required with 2 units of adult supervision plus 36 units of ECE/CD (including core) and 18 semester units of upper division coursework. Minimum Site Supervisor Permit or above eligible.

Experience: 3 to 4 years minimum in ECE including at least 1 year of experience mentoring and leading other adults or teaching staff.

Other Qualifications

• Must be able to complete Child Care Center Part II Orientation Certificate and Mandated Reporter training
• Able to pass Criminal Record Clearance, health screening, TB test, and have updated immunizations
• Knowledgeable and values the impact of culture on the development of children
• Ability to provide strategic approaches as well as assist in implementation
• Understands and values diversity and the importance of cultural sensitivity and inclusivity
• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to listen, receive and take feedback, and provide constructive feedback to peers and staff
• Possesses a high level of initiative, motivation, and direction
• Ability to interact with children in a manner consistent with Catalyst Family Inc. philosophy
• Knowledgeable about agency philosophy and curriculum standards, DAP, and able to implement and role model consistent program practices and standards
• Ability to take initiative to appropriately partner within the community as well as with internal departments
• Stays abreast of new research and theories in the ECE/Youth fields
• Working knowledge of staffing and marketing communication, highly desirable
• Proficiency in second languages also desirable
• Demonstrated ability to manage staff, coach and mentor
• Provides effective customer service
• Effective leadership skills; committed to continual improvement of these skills
• Strategic thinking and planning
• Interpersonal and team communications
• Highly effective in program quality, program implementation, and people management
• Ability to track and follow a budget
• Demonstrates a team player mentality
• Bilingual a plus

Schedule

Full Time. Monday – Friday, 8-hour shift between hours of 6am – 6pm.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits
• 401(k) Retirement plan and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Personal Health Advocate
• Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Commuter pre-tax benefit
• Discounted childcare
• Access to the Calm app
• Tickets at Work employee discounts
• Be constantly in a learning and growth process with training and professional growth advisory

This response is AI-generated, for reference only.